Council Coup

Well, well, well, that was a fun Council wasn't it? By 36-22 votes, Team America pulled off a coup to get more open debates by outgimping OUSU Council. After slamming Luke Tryl's initial informal debate suggestion in the press a mere fortnight ago, John Maher-Quinn-Morcos-Pilgrim proposed a motion calling for a more open debate format and passed it in time for this year's elections.

Oddly enough Stefan Baskerville didn't say a word (if only that happened more often) instead using his little Univ proxies, along with Joel Mullan and Adam Smith to do his bidding. But the best part? Luke Tryl didn't even show up, demonstrating his commitment, as ever, to OUSU. Maybe he was too busy getting frisky with a certain Cherwell editor?

As ever, it was lovely seeing you all today once again. But all I wonder is who will be pulling off next week's stunt. No matter what, you'll hear it here first...

xoxo

Spotted: Morcos and Tan

The plot thickens: Maher's slate manager Pete Morcos and ex-LMH JCR President David Tan spotted together in Lincoln Bar on Thursday night.

Were they just watching the North London derby? Or is Tan, one of Iwu's campaign team last year, joining Team America?

OUSU Council fun tomorrow. I bet you're all very excited. See you there...

xoxo

Oxford's best dressed man

My my my... isn't Baskerville doing well? After getting the Mullan seal of approval (and with it the rest of Oxford's disapproval), it turns out that Krishna Omkar - Oxford's best-dressed man - will also be becoming his agent for the election.

Omkar's motives are somewhat easy to guess after Tryl turned on him during the Union election debacle. Gay slap fest? I'm so very excited.

xoxo

Joel Mullan pulls out

Now my lovlies, you may think this is going to be a post about Joel Mullan teaching sex ed. Sadly not. The one man stand of Joel Mullan has pulled out of the race to be OUSU President - before it even begun.

Rumour has it that he has endorsed Baskerville's campaign claiming that "Stefan shares my vision for OUSU." One would presume that means full of political hacks and rules gimps. Wayhey.

But the question remains, does Baskerville really want to burdened with Joel Mullan's OULC tag? After all, it's painfully evident just how much it helped Olivia Bailey last year.

It's been a slow week so far after the last fortnight's fun and games. Is there more excitement to come this week? You'll have to check back...

xoxo

Election gets global coverage

Both Stefan Baskerville and Luke Tryl have been quietly bricking themselves this week after Cherwell hack Henry Clarke-Price got in touch (rarely a good sign).

Apparently, the journo got his grimy mitts on a strategy document from Baskerville's campaign that is less than complimentary about Tryl. Obviously such a story getting out doesn't help either of them - Stefan looks bitchy and Luke effectively gets called names.

Two questions have to be asked. One, why didn't we hear a squeak about this story in the student press. Two, how the hell is Clarke-Price doing this from Barcelona, where he's doing his year abroad?

xoxo

Camp Tryl in turmoil

A little birdie tells me that Luke Tryl's campaign manager Sourav Choudhury is in hot water after sending confidential academic affair casework around preslist - a mailing list which JCR Presidents use to feel self-important and boost their egos - without consulting with the student concerned first. Cripes.

Clearly Team Oxford Union has a bit to learn about actual student issues. It might well be fun getting sloshed on Thursday nights at Pressie drinks but life in the real word is just a little different.

xoxo

Spotted: Sarfo-Annin and Maher

Spotted: Jason Sarfo-Annin and John Maher meeting for ice cream at G&Ds in Cowley Road.

Is the architect of Iwu's 2007 victory about to sign up to Team America? Or is JS-A too busy saving lives in a hospital?

Exciting times lie ahead. xoxo

Ahoy me hearties

Can Cali surfer boy Maher breach OUSU's hull? Only you can decide.

xoxo

The real people with power

Boys and girls, now that I've brought you who's running for President of the insipid institution of OUSU, it's now time to look at the real people with power.

Stefan Baskerville: Chris Taylor but really it's Jonny Medland. See right hand image.
Analysis: 'Safe' bet. Taylor knows OUSU but given Medland's a smart guy, it's difficult to understand why he's backing Stefan.

John Maher: Ben Pilgrim and Pete Morcos
Analysis: Pilgrim is the only one who has a posher education than Baskerville whilst Morcos is a quiet unknown quantity.

Joel Mullan: Joel Mullan
Analysis: No mates Joel is going solo. The OULC endorsment is such a poisoned chalice that even he doesn't want it. Might do better than people think though.

Luke Tryl: Sourav Choudhury and Stuart Cullen
Analysis: Union hack A-team. Choudhury and Cullen probably make the fakest team out there. If you show an interest in voting for Luke, I'm sure they'll get you into Pressie drinks.

More news soon. xoxo

Maddy makes her mark

We all know that Council is a fucking boring four-hour session of rules gimpery, so here are Returning Officer Maddy's rulings in short:

- Luke Tryl's attempt to seize the initiative with Obama/McCain-style televised debate extravaganza was shot down in flames. No surprise there.
- No Facebook/website campaigning until close of nominations

Oh what OUSU fun. xoxo

Election 2008: Who's running and why

Stefan Baskerville

Lib Dem

Best known for: pretending he's ghetto even though he went to an expensive posh London day school.

Running because: mate, he wants to be a Socialist Party MP, for extra ghetto points.

John Maher

American Democrat

Best known for: telling Keble governing body that it might have been one of the SCR who defaced a sign in the college.

Running because: Americans will take over anything.

Joel Mullan

Labour

Best kn-kn-kn-known for: being part of Olivia Bailey's election winning campaign team.

Running because: he's a sadomasochist.

Luke Tryl

Conservative

Best known for: inviting fascists for tea while President of the Oxford Union.

Running because: he wants to further his career prospects (probably a Tory MP.)

And who am I? That's a secret I'll never tell. You know you love me. xoxo